Mathematics/Science

Associates in Arts

The Mathematics/Science Program provides the fundamentals in mathematics and the sciences, enabling students to continue their education in mathematics, the physical sciences, the biological sciences and computer science. Students may enter the areas of science and technology, or should use the program for pre-engineering, pre-medicine, or transfer to a four-year institution, etc. Students should consult with the STEM Division early to determine specific electives.

The Chemistry Option provides preparation for employment in these industries:

alternative energy

chemical

engineering

environmental

materials

pharmaceutical.

This degree and all of its courses are transferable to four-year colleges and universities.

The suggested sequence for full-time students is shown below. Note: To complete the degree in two years, students are advised to complete the courses in the sequence listed beginning in the fall semester.

◊For Scientific Knowledge and Understanding and Scientific Reasoning, students must pick one of hte following course sequences:

BIO*H121 General Biology I and BIO*H122 General Biology II (spring only) or
BIO*H155 General Botany and BIO*H145 General Zoology (spring only) (SCSU transfer only) or
CHE*H121 General Chemistry I and CHE*H122 General Chemistry II (spring only) or
PHY*H221 Calculus-Based Physics I and PHY*H222 Calculus-Based Physics II

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

The suggested sequence for full-time students is shown below. Note: To complete the degree in two years, students are advised to complete the courses in the sequence listed beginning in the fall semester.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of EDUC 5016 (Transitional PreAlgebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. The course begins with a brief review of basic computational skills and operations with signed numbers. Algebraic order of operations and evaluation and simplification of algebraic expressions are followed by techniques for solving first degree equations and inequalities in one unknown. Also included in this course are algebraic methods for solving applications involving one and two unknowns. Basic rules of exponents are presented and scientific notation is discussed. This is followed by the basic polynomial operations and graphing linear equations in two unknowns, finding slopes of lines, x- and y- intercepts, and writing the equations of lines. This will not fulfill a mathematics requirement in any degree program.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H094 (Introductory Algebra) or MAT*H095 (Elementary Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. Enrollment in MAT*H121 is restricted to specific programs. Topics covered include arithmetic and algrebraic operations, statistics, graphs, and tables. This course emphasizes specific mathematical applications for each discipline.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H094 (Introductory Algebra) or MAT*H095 (Elementary Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. A practical course offering an exposure to a wide range of topics with an emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving and the real number system. Topics include number theory, financial management, set theory, metric system and statistics. This course will not satisfy the General Education mathematics requirement at CT State Universities.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H094 (Introductory Algebra) or MAT*H095 (Elementary Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. The main themes of Intermediate Algebra are functions, represented by tables, graphs, and rules, and problem solving. The study of polynomial functions is extended via applications involving linear functions, linear systems, and quadratic functions. Students also study exponential functions, rational functions, radical functions, and absolute value functions. Computer component required; TI-83 (Plus) or TI-84 (Plus) or online graphing utility required. This may be used as a general elective; this will not fulfill a mathematics requirement in any degree program.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H136 (Intermediate Algebra with lab) or MAT*H137 (Intermediate Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. This course is designed for students planning to become certified in early childhood, elementary or middle school level education. Problem solving strategies will be developed and integrated throughout, in accordance with the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Topics include conceptual and relational understanding of the real numbers, including the subsets of whole numbers, integers, rational and irrational numbers, with an emphasis on place value and the associated operations. Topics from numeration systems, number theory, and set theory will be developed as needed, with regular use of manipulatives and technology.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H136 (Intermediate Algebra with lab) or MAT*H137 (Intermediate Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. This course is designed for students planning to become certified in early childhood, elementary or middle school level education. Problem solving strategies will be developed and integrated throughout, in accordance with the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Topics include probability, statistics, and geometry concepts presented through a problem-solving approach, and incorporating an extensive use of manipulatives and geometric software. Mathematical discourse is encouraged through cooperative learning and written communication.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H136 (Intermediate Algebra with lab) or MAT*H137 (Intermediate Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. This is a survey course designed to acquaint the liberal arts student with a broad spectrum of mathematical ideas not emphasized in traditional algebra courses. As a terminal mathematics course, it conveys the nature and diversity of mathematics, its methods, applications, and roles in society. Topics are selected from problem solving and critical thinking skills, graph theory, voting and apportionment, introduction to probability, linear programming, patterns and symmetry, linear and exponential applications; others may include fractal geometry, financial management, fair division schemes, game theory, or codes.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H136 (Intermediate Algebra with lab) or MAT*H137 (Intermediate Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. This technology-based course begins with an introduction to data analysis including techniques in the presentation of data and in the determination of statistical measures for central tendency and variation. The topics of linear correlation and regression are explored in the analysis of bivariate data. The basics of probability are presented prior to a thorough examination of discrete and continuous probability distributions. Emphasis is placed on the binomial and normal distributions. Estimation and hypothesis testing for population means are introduced. As time permits, statistical inference techniques for proportion, variance and the difference of means will be presented.

Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in MAT*H172 with two letters of recommendation from instructors at NVCC and permission of the Division Director or Math Department Chair. This course provides students the opportunity to develop their communication skills in mathematics. Students will assist and tutor peers in mathematics using appropriate technology for a minimum of three hours per week for 14 weeks in the Academic Center for Excellence at Naugatuck Valley Community College under the supervision of a math instructor. The course may be taken up to three times for a maximum of 3 credit hours.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H136 (Intermediate Algebra with lab) or MAT*H137 (Intermediate Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam.This course offers the student the development of numeric, algebraic, and graphic problem solving techniques beyond the intermediate level. Techniques are developed to solve equations and inequalities involving polynomials, radicals and rational expressions. Polynomial, inverse, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions are studied and their applications are explored both algebraically and graphically.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H172 (College Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. This course offers the student a development of trigonometry through a functional approach. The trigonometric functions are considered as circular functions with applications of these to the solution of triangulation problems. Topics include trigonometric identities, inverse trigonometric functions, oblique triangle trigonometry and the graphs of the trigonometric functions. Vectors will be introduced and the polar coordinate system will also be considered.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H172 (College Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. The purpose of this course is to acquaint students not majoring in mathematics or science with a body of mathematical knowledge that may well demand investigation in view of their various academic goals. Topics covered include function theory, inequalities, tangient problems, continuity, limits, derivatives, and integrals.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H185 (Trigonometric Functions) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. A four semester hour course intended to provide the necessary preparation for advanced mathematics and science courses as requirements for all mathematics/science majors. The course begins with a review of the properties of absolute value and inequalities and other algebraic topics. Functions, limits, and continuity are thoroughly covered along with the derivatives. Formulas for calculating derivatives are presented, along with geometrical and physical applications. The antiderivative is introduced along with the definition of the differential and some applications. The course concludes with an introduction to the definite integral and its geometric meaning.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H254 (Calculus I). A second course in calculus for mathematics or science majors. Topics include the definite integral and applications of the definite integral to areas, volumes, and length of arc of a plane curve. Also considered are logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions and various techniques of integration. Limits involving indeterminate forms and improper integrals are also discussed. The course concludes with an introduction to infinite series.

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in MAT*H256 (Calculus II) Study of ordinary differential equations. Equations studied include the following: first-order linear, separable equations; exact equations; homogeneous linear equations of first or higher order with constant coefficients; auxiliary equations with complex roots; and non-homogeneous equations. Solutions of initial value problems with associated applications are studied. Techniques used include linear differential operators, the method of undetermined coefficients, variation of parameters, and Laplace transforms.

MAT*H092

Statway I

4Credits

(developmental – no credit toward degree or transfer)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of EDUC 5016 (Transitional PreAlgebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. Corequisite of ENG*H063 or qualifying score on placement exam, or permission of Chair of Mathematics Department. Statway I is the first of two courses offering an alternative pathway for students in non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) majors. These courses will combine elements of algebra and statistics into one curriculum. Students will take these courses instead of MAT*H095 (Elementary Algebra), MAT*H137 (Intermediate Algebra), and MAT*H167 (Principles of Statistics). The goal is to significantly improve the retention rate in developmental mathematics.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of EDUC 5016 (Transitional PreAlgebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. The course begins with a brief review of basic computational skills and operations with signed numbers. Algebraic order of operations and evaluation and simplification of algebraic expressions are followed by techniques for solving first degree equations and inequalities in one unknown. Also included in this course are algebraic methods for solving applications involving one and two unknowns. Basic rules of exponents are presented and scientific notation is discussed. This is followed by the basic polynomial operations and graphing linear equations in two unknowns, finding slopes of lines, x- and y- intercepts, and writing the equations of lines. This will not fulfill a mathematics requirement in any degree program.

MAT*H122

Statway II

4Credits

Prerequisite: C or better in MAT*H092 (Statway I). Statway II is the second course in the two semester Statway course sequence. The Statway course sequence is recommended for students enrolled in degree programs that require no mathematics beyond freshman-level statistics. Both courses in the course sequence (Statway I and Statway II) may be used to receive credit for college level statistics with Division Director Approval. Students will use mathematical and statistical tools to explore real life data in a participatory learning environment. Statway II topics include modeling data with functions, quadratic functions, discrete and continuous probability distributions, Central Limit Theorem, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, one-sample and two-sample hypothesis tests, Chi-Square Tests, and ANOVA. This course requires the use of statistical technology.

Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in MAT*H094 (Introductory Algebra) or MAT*H095 (Elementary Algebra) or an appropriate score on a college placement exam. Must place into MAT*136 (Intermediate Algebra with Lab) or higher. This course initiates with the concepts of beginning algebra such as solving first degree equations and inequalities, applications and graphing of linear equations, and simplifying exponential expressions. The course also includes concepts of intermediate algebra such as factoring techniques. The study of polynomial functions is extended via applications involving linear functions, linear systems, and quadratic functions. Students also study exponential functions, rational functions, radical functions, and absolute value functions.